Liner for use with respiratory mask

Abstract

A liner for use with a respiratory mask having a face-engaging portion includes a body constructed from an absorbent material, the body having an outer edge, an inner edge, and an opening bounded by the inner edge. The body has a first end and a second end, the liner having a flap extending from at least one of the first and second ends, wherein the flaps are arranged to be engaged to releasably tether the liner to the respiratory mask.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liner for use with a respiratory mask having a face-engaging portion, the liner comprising:
 a body constructed from an absorbent material, the body having an outer edge, an inner edge, and an opening bounded by the inner edge, the body having a first end and a second end, the liner having a flap extending from at least one of the first and second ends, wherein the flaps are arranged to be engaged to releasably tether the liner to the respiratory mask.   
     
     
         2 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein each flap has a length that is between about 20% to 50% of a length from the opening to the first end or from the opening to the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein each flap has a width approximately as wide as a width of the opening. 
     
     
         4 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the flaps are curved. 
     
     
         5 . The liner of  claim 4 , wherein the flaps are formed as a reverse curve departing from a curved trajectory of the outer edge at the first and second ends of the liner. 
     
     
         6 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the flaps are devoid of affixing material for securing the liner to the mask. 
     
     
         7 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein a perimeter of the outer edge is larger than a perimeter of the face-engaging portion of the respiratory mask for forming an extending portion of the body, wherein the extending portion is configured to be in non-adhering communication with a user's face. 
     
     
         8 . The liner of  claim 7 , wherein the extending portion is a baffle for regulating the flow of air away from the face-engaging portion. 
     
     
         9 . A liner for use with a respiratory mask having a face-engaging portion, the liner comprising:
 a body constructed from an absorbent material, the body having an outer edge, an inner edge, and an opening bounded by the inner edge, the body having a first end and a second end, the liner having a flap extending from at least one of the first and second ends, each flap having a length that is between about 20% to 50% of a length from the opening to the first end or from the opening to the second end, each flap having a width approximately as wide as a width of the opening, wherein the flaps are arranged to be engaged to releasably tether the liner to the respiratory mask without altering a configuration of the outer edge of the liner such that the outer edge loosely protrudes beyond the mask.   
     
     
         10 . The liner of  claim 9 , wherein the flaps are curved. 
     
     
         11 . The liner of  claim 10 , wherein the flaps are formed as a reverse curve departing from a curved trajectory of the outer edge at the first and second ends of the liner. 
     
     
         12 . The liner of  claim 9 , wherein the flaps are devoid of affixing material for securing the liner to the mask. 
     
     
         13 . The liner of  claim 9 , wherein a perimeter of the outer edge is larger than a perimeter of the face-engaging portion of the respiratory mask for forming an extending portion of the body, wherein the extending portion is configured to be in non-adhering communication with a user's face. 
     
     
         14 . A kit for use with a respiratory mask having a face-engaging portion, the kit comprising:
 a liner including a body constructed from an absorbent material, the body having an outer edge, an inner edge, and an opening bounded by the inner edge, the body having a first end and a second end, the liner having a flap extending from at least one of the first and second ends; and   a strap arranged to engage the flap to releasably tether the liner to the respiratory mask.   
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the strap includes an elastic band. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein each flap has a length that is between about 20% to 50% of a length from the opening to the first end or from the opening to the second end. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein each flap has a width approximately as wide as a width of the opening. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the flaps are curved. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the flaps are formed as a reverse curve departing from a curved trajectory of the outer edge at the first and second ends of the liner. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the flaps are devoid of affixing material for securing the liner to the mask.